Trips
Every so often we organise tips to model railway exhibitions, preserved lines and other places of interest - here are just some.
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Alexandra Palace 2014
We always look forward to visiting this show, which is probably the largest in southern England. There are two halls with many small specialist traders together with some of the largest, plus loads of layouts. The building itself is a joy to behold and on a clear day there are magnificent views across London from the outside terrace.
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Bluebell Line 2013
Every year we visit the Bluebelle in July when they hold a Toy & Rail Collectors Fair at Horsted Keynes Station.
We spend the morning looking at the stalls that are in Station Field and on the platforms, followed by lunch. Next we take a guided tour of the carriage and wagon works followed by a ride down the line to Sheffield park where we visit the museum, locomotive shed and hopefully see the Brighton Atlantic if Atlantic House happens to be open. |
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Eastleigh 100 2009
Eastleigh works, where many Southern Railway locomotives were built and maintained, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009. As it is only a few miles away from Romsey we just had to go along. The weather was perfect. Outside, we saw a marvelous array of locomotives - steam, diesel and electric, climbed aboard several and enjoyed a short ride in a Queen Mary brake van hauled by a Beattie Well Tank. Inside, we visited several trade stands and saw various locomotives undergoing repair.
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Swanage 2005
In August 2005 we visited the Swanage Railway, a preserved railway in the heart of Dorset known as the Isle of Purbeck. The standard gauge railway line, which is famous for its proximity to Corfe Castle, has been re-laid and now covers 6 miles of track between Swanage and Norden.
During our visit we listened to a talk by Peter Sills on the plans to build a museum at the Norden Park and Ride site. Peter is the Chairman of the Purbeck Mineral & Mining Museum Group (PMMMG) that intends to exhibit various artifacts relating to the mining in this area. They will recreate a working environment typical of the ball clay mining industry complete with a short operating narrow gauge line. More details of the museum can be found here. We'd like to thank those at Swanage Railway for their time and efforts in making our visit such an enjoyable one. |
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Swindon and Cricklade Railway 2014
When time allows, whenever we visit the Swindon Steam Museum (see below) we take time out to visit the nearby Swindon and Cricklade Railway.
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Yeovilton 2009
A few years ago an annual model railway show was held in the Royal Navy Fleet Airarm museum at Yeovilton. Sadly, model railway shows are no longer held in the main exhibition halls, but at least you can see what it was like with layouts and traders positioned amidst the museum's aircraft and other items on display.
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